Ancient fossil beds and stunning waterfalls await at this Indiana gem

Ancient fossil beds and stunning waterfalls await at this Indiana gem

The park is the keeper of some of Indiana's ancient history, including 425-million-year-old shale and limestone rocks andfossil remnants that give clues to a former marine ecosystemwith corals and ancestral squids. But enjoy with your eyes only; public fossil collecting at the park is not allowed.

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Clifty Falls State Park

Why it matters

What to see today

Line up your visit after a healthy rain, and trails will take you past waterfalls whose drops from cliffs are dramatic or gentle, based on the season.

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The park is a stop on theIndiana Birding Trail, which catalogs sites that include habitats and climate influences that offer chances to see a diverse array of species at different stages of migration, mating and raising their young.

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Plan your visit

  • Best time: During spring and summer, the park offers a full slate of activities, like crafts, hiking meetups and competitions to identify animals sounds. The best views of the waterfalls are in the winter and spring.

  • Getting there: Clifty Falls is near Madison, Indiana, which is about two hours southeast of Indianapolis and about a hour and a half southwest of Cincinnati.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star:Ancient fossil beds and stunning waterfalls await at this Indiana gem

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